We're back in 2020 with Weekend in Entertainment. Let's start with some music. Country artist Tracy Lawrence is in the QC this weekend. There is also the Monster Jam, Cirque du Soleil OVO, and a musical soul session. Joining All Things Considered host Gwendolyn Glenn to discuss these events is Katrina Louis, managing editor of QCity Metro.
Gwendolyn Glenn: Katrina, welcome back in 2020.
Katrina Louis: Happy New Year, Gwen.
Glenn: Same to you. Now, Tracy Lawrence, a well-known country artist, is in Charlotte this weekend. Tell us about him and his music.
Louis: So we heard a little bit about his hit “Paint Me a Birmingham.” But he also has other songs like "Find Out Who Your Friends Are," "Time Marches On" and many others. He actually started his career about 30 years ago. For the country music purist, he's one of their favorites. He's going to be at Coyote Joe's, out there headed toward the airport on Friday at 7 p.m.
Glenn: OK. And if you're in the mood for some tricks, stunts and a little bit of magic, you're in luck with Cirque du Soleil OVO. Katrina, the traveling tour came to town on Wednesday and they will be here throughout the weekend. Now, we're all familiar with Cirque du Soleil, but what is Cirque du Soleil OVO about -- is there a difference?
Louis: Yes. So, Cirque du Soleil is known for their themed shows. So this one, OVO, is actually "egg" in Portuguese. This one takes us inside the world of insects. There is a mysterious egg that comes along and then there's a love story between an insect and a ladybug. And you'll have the artists, the performers, contortionists, and acrobats.
Glenn: A love story in a circus. OK.
Louis: It is one of those things you have to see to appreciate the beauty and everything.
Glenn: I was imagining [laughs]. Showtime and where?
Louis: All the shows are at Bojangles' Coliseum. So Thursday and Friday’s shows are at 7:30 p.m. and there are afternoon and evening shows on Saturday and Sunday.
Glenn: OK, let's move now to trucks that are really loud. The Monster Jam Triple Threat Series will be at the Spectrum Center in uptown on Friday and Saturday. Katrina, what's on tap at this event?
Louis: This is definitely something to do with the kids. There'll be a combo of races and stunts. We all know monster trucks probably from growing up. That's when I first remember them. You had your popular trucks like Grave Digger. And so the Triple Threat Series, they'll be competing in different races for a chance to compete at the Monster Jam World Finals for the title of World Champion.
Glenn: Sounds like a lot of fun. And finally this weekend, a music showcase. It's called "The Session," created by Brave Entertainment and the singer Tweet. One of her hits is called "Call Me." A lot of people, I'm sure, remember that song. Tell us a little more about Tweet.
Louis: Tweet was a singer, like you said. She had popular hits back in the early 2000s. "Call Me" was one of them. She had the song "Oops, Oh My" with Missy Elliott. But if you haven't checked out The Session event, I would encourage you to do so. I've actually been to a couple of them, but it really spotlights soul music and live music. So if you're into live music, that's really a place to check out.
Brave Entertainment, they are two local vocalists who've been around the industry for many years -- Brittany and Raven. So they put on this event monthly. And for this lineup, you have Blanche J, who was a Charlotte resident for a while. You'll have BRIK.LIAM, who is an RnB artist who signed to singer PJ Morton's independent label. And then you have Chantae Cann, who's a jazz vocalist. She spent some time as a backup singer for India Arie.
Glenn: OK, what a lineup. And that's at the Heist Brewery. What day and time?
Louis: That’s happening at the Heist Brewery in NoDa on Saturday and the show starts at 8:30 p.m.
Glenn: A great weekend ahead of us this second weekend of the New Year. Thanks, Katrina.
Louis: Thanks, Glenn.
Glenn: That's Katrina Louis, managing editor of QCity Metro.
